Now is a good time to prepare for winter

Fall is a time to really make sure things are in order.  This is a good time to winterize vehicles, homes and ourselves.

 Make sure your vehicles are prepared for winter weather.  Check your antifreeze levels. Are your tires ready for slick roads? Do you carry chains and know how to install them? Have you stocked supplies in your vehicle in case you become stranded? 

 Items to think about include extra nourishment and water. Eating snow can be dangerous. By doing so it can lower your core body temperature as well as cause some digestive issues. You should always carry a couple flashlights with extra batteries.  

 The nights are longer this time of year and odds are that you will be traveling in the dark more frequently.  Be sure to carry gloves, appropriate footwear along with head and ear protection. Extra blankets are always a good idea. Carrying a shovel and some traction enhancer such as kitty litter or a small bucket of sand can be quite helpful.  

 Remember to keep your fuel tank on the upper half. This will give you some added weight as well as peace of mind if you happen to get detoured or have to wait for roads to be cleared.

 Just like in nature, now is when we make sure our stockpiles are sufficient to get us through our harshest seasons. Things such as honey, meats, nuts and many of the fall harvest fruits to name a few. 

 Storage of these items is very important.  Do your research on how to store such items for the best longevity. Resources may include neighbors, home economists and possibly your local extension service. Having items go bad during the winter and spring months before the new crop can be frustrating to say the least.

 Pets are an important part of many people’s lives. Make sure they have proper protection from the elements, along with a good supply of food and water. Proper bedding is vital to ensure their protection from the cold temperatures. You should follow the same preparedness rules for pets and livestock as you would for humans.

 Is your home and property ready? It is time to check furnace filters. When is the last time you had your heating source serviced? It may be time to have it looked at by a heating and cooling company for best performance and possibly to avoid failures during the upcoming season.  

 Also, check and clean your chimney.  It is much easier now than with slick snow-covered roofs. Be sure to winterize your water systems to avoid freezing. The necessity of water is very important. If you have questions about this contact a plumber. A pre-season inspection could prove to be less expensive and disruptive than a repair call.  

 Remember to check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Now is an opportune time to check caulking around doors and windows. Making repairs can save on energy bills. Make sure you close vents that you opened for the summer months. Now is a good time to check your door and window locks to keep your home secure.  

 Clean up areas around your property where snow will be piled to avoid unwanted damage. If you have in-operable vehicles/items on roads and streets remove them now in preparation for snow plowing operations. By doing so it will make for simpler and safer snow removal for local crews.

 Be safe and remember help is on the way but we need to take care of ourselves until it arrives.

 Tony Buthman is the emergency management director for Washington County.